Resources

With the COVID-19 epidemic continuing to evolve, special efforts are required to ensure that essential routine RMNCAH+N services are delivered uninterrupted. Given that India witnesses close to 2.5 crore pregnancies each year, any denial of these services can impact maternal and newborn mortalities, morbidities as well as related health care costs. In this context, Government of India released guidelines for enabling delivery of essential health services including RMNCAH services, during the ongoing pandemic. The guidelines outline the health system approach for delivery of these essential services, including facility mapping and planning, alternate service delivery mechanisms (telehealth, modified outreach, home visits), triaging, management of human resources, ensuring supplies of medicines and diagnostics, program management (including monitoring), finances and accountability systems. This document also elaborates various RMNCAH+N services to be provided at different levels in accordance with the zonal categorization of containment zones, buffer zones and beyond these zones. It is a useful resource for program implementers. Click here to read the guidance note.